AUSTRIA V CZECH REP under 20

[capodetutticapi]

Neighbours clash in Edmonton
Austria and the Czech Republic know plenty about each other, with close ties being forged down the years due to their close proximity, but all neighbourly thoughts will go out of the window at the Commonwealth Stadium on Wednesday when they meet in the FIFA U-20 World Cup semi-final.

The game
Austria v Czech Republic, Edmonton, 18 July, 17.45 (local time)

The stakes
A place in the Final on 22 July against either Chile or Argentina beckons for the winner. If Austria emerge victorious, they will make the trip between Edmonton and Toronto for the fifth time, while the Czechs would be making their first visit to the National Soccer Stadium venue.

The players
Austria defender Thomas Panny suffered a fractured fibula in final training and is therefore out for the rest of the tournament. The Austrians also have defender Michael Madl and midfielder Michael Stanislaw suspended after they collected their second yellow cards of the knock-out phase in the quarter-final win against USA. Austria coach Paul Gludovatz says he may rest other players who are on one caution and midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic is carrying a slight knock. Czech Republic's Tomas Oklestek is gradually recovering from a shoulder injury but may not be fit to face Austria. Petr Janda has an ankle knock and Lukas Kuban has a groin strain but Jakub Mares returns from suspension for the Czechs.

The past
Austria and Czech Republic faced each other a year ago at the finals of the UEFA European U-19 Championship in Poland, where the Czechs won 3-1. The two nations also clashed in the first round at the FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship Mexico 1983, when the former Czechoslovakia won 4-0.

The words
"It will be a very different match to the one we played against USA in the last round. I expect it to be difficult because we have two players suspended and others on a yellow card. The Czechs are in the same situation as Austria because this is like the game of the century for both of us." Paul Gludovatz, Austria coach

"Just because we played defensively against Spain does not mean we are a defensive team. Other people might say we are too defensive but they said that about Greece during Euro 2004 and they went on to win the championship. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. I don't know if we will play more offensively against Austria." Miroslav Soukup, Czech Republic coach

"I don't feel any extra pressure when I come off the bench. I always give 100 per cent whether I start the game or I come on a substitute because I always want to score." Erwin 'Jimmy' Hoffer, Austria forward

"It will be tricky against Austria. When we took on Spain we were the underdogs but perhaps we will be the favourites now because last year we beat them at the European Championship, so I guess people will expect us to do it again." Tomas Pekhart, Czech Republic forward

(FIFA.com)
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Video
Austria 2:1 USA »
Spain 1:1 a.e.t 3:4 PSO Czech Republic »

AdvertisementPoll
With the semi-finals fixtures set, which two teams will end up meeting in the Final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007?

Austria v. Chile

Czech Republic v. Argentina

Austria v. Argentina

Czech Republic v. Chile

[capodetutticapi]

look like austria get ah 2 nil cutass.

[Toppa]

look like austria get ah 2 nil cutass.

The next semi is tom. right?

[capodetutticapi]

look like austria get ah 2 nil cutass.

The next semi is tom. right?

yep.so we lookin at ah arg v chc rep final.

[Toppa]

look like austria get ah 2 nil cutass.

The next semi is tom. right?

yep.so we lookin at ah arg v chc rep final.

Looking so oui.

[pecan]

lackadaisical performance by Austria

[Mose]

Dey just didn't have it!

[WestCoast]

yep.so we lookin at ah arg v chc rep final.

I feel it gobe Chc Rep vs Chile

[Pointman]

yep.so we lookin at ah arg v chc rep final.

I feel it gobe Chc Rep vs Chile

Yeah I backing Chile too.

[Mango Chow!]

This was one of, if not the most BORING game of this or any U-20, U-17, U-anything tournament I have ever watched.  I think Austria had suppered a major setback in the injury dep. and once Czech Rep. scored that first goal, the game was over.  I hope tonight's and Sunday's games are much, much better!

[RGarcia]

like yuh never see TT play in a U20 or U17 tournament or qualifier or what?

[Mango Chow!]

like yuh never see TT play in a U20 or U17 tournament or qualifier or what?

   Oh LAWD, yuh harsh dey, but this game had nothing about it to hold my interest. (and I am one of THE BIGGEST football peongs I know!!) Not the winners, not the losers, not the sparse crowd....NUTT"N!!  Even in games where our teams have been clearly and badly overmatched (the DRUBBING that Brazil put on us in the U-17 tournament at home) there was something about the play of at least ONE of the teams, or the crowd atmosphere or SUMTING!! that made the game interesting.......NOT this one.